Bob Bissler

Senior Editor

Bob Bissler is Modern Tire Dealer's senior editor. He began his interest in the automotive industry as a teenager helping his brother work on drag race cars, and after high school he worked in his other brother's body shop.

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Mike Manges

Senior Editor

Mike Manges is Modern Tire Dealer's senior editor. He is a three-time International Automotive Media Association award winner and holds a Gold Award from the Association of Automotive Publication Editors. He also edits MTD's acclaimed Commercial Tire Dealer section, as well as The Kovach Tire Report, MTD's sister publication. Mike has traveled the world -- including Asia, Europe and North America -- in pursuit of stories.

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Random observations from the Global Tire Expo/SEMA Show

By: Mike Manges

The Global Tire Expo - Powered by TIA/Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show is in full swing. Here are some random observations from the show floor.

* Attendance is up. Obviously, the final numbers aren't in, but there are many more people moving through the aisles -- and into exhibitors' booths -- than last year.

* Attendees are wheeling and dealing. The business-to-business flavor that characterized last year's show clearly is present this year. Several tire manufacturer sales reps and execs have told me that they are enjoying "high quality," productive conversations with serious buyers.

* Tire people are together. The decision to give the tire industry its own, dedicated section, in my opinion, was the right move by SEMA and the Tire Industry Association. Attendees no longer have to schlep around the Las Vegas Convention Center in search of exhibitors. For tire dealers, the SEMA Show has never been more user-friendly.

* More Asian exhibitors than ever. Walking around the lower half of the South Hall earlier today, I counted no fewer than 18 Chinese tire manufacturers. Ever hear of Koryo Tyres, Shanghai Huaxiang Solid Tyre Co. or Jiangsu General Science Technology Co.? Me neither. But they're here.

Check back here tomorrow for more random observations from the 2010 SEMA Show!

Related Topics: SEMA Show 2010